Cutting machine



March 10, 1942. F. G. CLARK CUTTING MACHINE Filed March 29, 1941 m e H 5 MW M N E N F T A 0 Q Q h m f && kw W N N xm hwwmgm \N ,m, n H fig Patented Mar. 10, 1942 E CUTTING MACHINE Frederick G. Clark, Buffalo, N. Y., assignor to Eastman Machine Company, Bufialo, N. Y.

Application March 29-, 1941, Serial No. 385,781

10 Claims.

This invention relates to cutting machines and more particularly to improvements in cutting machines of that type, commonly used for cutting cloth and other flexible sheet material, which comprises a knife and a driving motor therefor above and supported from a flat base, which is adapted to rest and be moved about upon the supporting table or surface on which the material lies for advancing the machine to cut the material. A well known machine of this type has a circular knife arranged above the base to revolve in a vertical plane, and the improvements constituting the subject matter of this application are especially directed to circular knife machines of this kind.

Particular objects of the invention are to provide a machine of this sort which is of novel and improved construction, whereby it is adapted for efficiently and rapidly cutting strips of different required widths from sheets of relatively heavy, dense or tough material of a character which machines of this type as commonly constructed are not adapted to cut successfully; and which is adapted to accurately out such sheet material into straight strips of predetermined required widths with clean-cut edges perpen-' dicular to the surface of the sheet.

Further objects and advantages of the invention will appear from the following specification of the preferred embodiment of the invention, shown in the accompanying drawing, and the novel features of the invention are set forth in the appended claims.

In said drawing:

Fig. 1 is a Side elevation of a cutting machine embodying my invention.

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary, front elevation thereof with the knife guard omitted.

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary, sectional plan thereof on line 3-3, Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary, rear side elevation of the knife-supporting frame.

Figs. 5 and 6 are respectively horizontal and vertical sections on lines 5-5 and 6--6, Fig. 1.

The machine, in the preferred embodiment thereof, illustrated in the drawing, comprises a broad, thin or shallow base or plate [0, a suitable motor II, which may be an electric motor, arranged above and supported from the base It), a circular knife l2 which is driven by the motor and is rotatably mounted above the base to revolve in a vertical plane extending fore and aft of the base plate. The base plate is provided on its under face with the usual rollers l3 adapted to rest and roll on a supporting table 55 form of a vertical plate adjustably securedto the 1 or surface 'to facilitate the manipulation of the machine, and the base plate is shown as having the usual bevelled or chamfered front and rear edges l4 and 14a to facilitate the insertion and movement of the base plate beneath the sheet material which is being cut and which lies on the table. The motor and the means for mounting and driving the knife may be of any usual or suitable construction.

The frame l5 on which the motor and knife are mounted is shown as having a long bar-like.

base portion |5a which extends forwardly and rearwardly at one side of the knife in a position spaced above the base plate. At its rear end, this frame I5 is secured to a rear standard It which is rigid and rises from the base plate l0, preferably back of the knife, and the front end or portion of the frame is secured to a front support preferably formed by two horizontal rods [1 that projectlaterally above the base from a bracket or standard l8 which is rigid with and rises from the base plate Ill at one side thereof or in advance of the rear standard and spaced laterally away from the vertical plane of the knife. As shown, the rods I! arev made with reduced or shouldered ends which are rigidly secured in holes in the bracket l8 by nuts 20 screwed on the threaded ends of the rods at the outer side of the bracket. The other ends of the rods extend through and are secured in slots 2| in the frame I5, as by wingnuts 22 screwed on said ends of the rods so as to clamp the frame 15 between the nuts and shoulders on the rods H at the opposite side of the frame.

Preferably, the rear end of the frame I5 is arranged to pivot or swing on the bolt 23 by which it is secured to the rear standard l6, and the rod slots 2| in the frame are vertically elongated and adapted to be set in positions at different distances from the plane of the knife to serve as a guide for one edge of the sheet and as a gage for cutting strips of different desired widths from the sheet. This gage preferably isin the supporting rods IT, as by a clamp member 26 which is clamped against the supporting rods H by an actuating thumb screw 21. Preferably the lower edge of the gage plate is adapted to rest on the base plate l and slide thereon in the adjustments of the gage, and as shown, the bottom edge of the gage plate has a horizontal portion arranged to bear on the flat portion of the base plate, and an inclined portion 28 arranged to slidably rest on the bevelled front edge M of the base plate. Thus the gage, in addition to serving as a guide and to gage the width of the strip to be cut from the sheet, also, by hearing on the base plate l0, prevents downward deflection of the supporting rods I! and, therefore, cooperates with the rods and their supporting bracket [8 in providing a stable, rigid support for the motor and knife.

I claim:

1. A machine for cutting sheet material comprising a base adapted to rest on a support beneath the material, a knife and a driving motor therefor, a, frame on which said knife and motor are mounted above said base with the knife arranged to operate in a vertical plane, a rear standard rising from and rigid with the base adjacent the rear edge of the knife, a front standard rising from and rigid with the base in a position offset laterally a distance from the vertical plane of the knife, a front support projecting laterally fromsaid front standard above the base toward the plane of the knife, said frame Projecting forwardly from the rear standard l6, close beside the knife beneath the frame I5, and preferably secured to the standard, is a thin, vertical plate 29. This plate acts as a guard or plow to hold the adjacent cut edge of the sheet out of contact with the knife, and thus prevents the rear edge portion of the knife which, in operation, moves upwardly away from the base plate Hi, from scraping or cutting this edge of the sheet and tending to lift the sheet. Thus, possible shifting or disturbing the position of the sheet with reference to the knife and the cutting of a rough or untrue edge is prevented. The plow plate 29 is very thin and the knife projects or protrudes for a considerable part of its width forwardly beyond the front edge of the plate, so

that the front edge portion of the knife, which cuts the sheet, is located a relatively long distance in advance of the front edge of the plow plate. By reason of this construction and relation of the knife and plow plate, the opening or spreading of the cut is reduced to the minimum. As a consequence, there is little tendency for the plow plate to shift the sheet or, by reaction, to cause the machine to shift away from the main body of the sheet if the weight or friction of the sheet on the table is great, and as a result, it is possible to cut the strips with much greater accuracyto specified widths and with edges which are perpendicular to the surface of the sheet and also to make straight cuts with greater precision.

The machine constructed as described is adapted When the machine is used for cutting some materials, such for example as heavy rubber sheets,

its cutting efficiency is materially increased by lubricating with a suitable fluid, such as soapy water, the surfaces of the knife and cutting gage which slide against the material. For this purpose a tank 33 for the lubricant is suitably mounted on the machine frame and provided with tubes 34 and 35, each equipped with a discharge regulating'valve 36, and one arranged to discharge the lubricant against the inner face of the gage and the other against a face'of the knife.

being secured to and supported by said rear standard and front support, and a cutting gage arranged at one side of the plane of the knife and adjustably secured to said front support for setting said gage at different distances from the plane of the knife.

2. A machine for cutting sheet material comprising a base adapted to rest on a support beneath the material, front and rear standards rising from and rigid with said base with the front standard offset to one side of the fore and aft vertical plane of the rear standard, a front support projecting laterally from said front standard above the base toward said vertical plane, a frame extending forwardly from said rear standard and secured to said standard and said front support, a knife and a driving motor therefor mounted on said frame above said base with the knife arranged and operating approximately in the vertical plane of the rear standard, and a gage adjustably secured to said front support between the front standard and the vertical plane of the knife, said gage being adjustable to different distances from the plane of the knife.

3. A machine for cutting sheet material comprising a base adapted to rest on a support beneath the material, front and rear standards rising from and rigid with said base with the front standard offset to one side of the fore and aft vertical plane of the rear standard, a front support projecting laterally from said front standard above the base toward said plane, a frame extending forwardly from said rear standard and secured to the standard and said front support, a knife and a driving motor therefor mounted on said frame above said base with the knife disposed between said rear standard and front support to operate in a vertical plane, and a gage adjustably secured to said front support between the front standard and the vertical plane of the knife, said gage being adjustable to different distances from the plane of the knife.

4. A machine for cutting sheet material comprising a base adapted to rest on a support beneath the material, front and rear standards rising from and rigid with said base with the front standard offset to one side of the fore and aft vertical plane of the rear standard, a front support projecting laterally from said front standard above the base toward said vertical plane, a frame extending forwardly from said rear standard and secured to the standard and said front support, a rotary circular knife and a driving motor therefor mounted on said frame with said knife arranged to rotate approximately in the verticalplane of said rear standard, and agage adjustably secured to said front support between the front standard and the vertical plane of the knife, said gage being adjustable to different distances from the plane of the knife.

5. A machine for cutting sheet material comprising a base adapted to rest on a support beneath the material, front and rear standards rising from'and rigid with said base with the front standard offset to one side of the fore and aft vertical plane of the rear standard, a front support projecting laterally from said front standard above the base toward said vertical plane, a frame extending forwardly from said rear standard and secured to the standard and said front support, a rotary circular knife and a drivin motor therefor mounted on said frame above said base with the knife arranged to rotate in a vertical plane, and means for adjusting said frame vertically on said standard and support for adjusting the knife toward and from the base.

6. A machine for cutting sheet material comprising a base adapted to rest on a support beneath the material, front and rear standards rising from and rigid with said base with the front standard offset to one side of the fore and aft vertical plane of the rear standard, a front support projecting laterally from said front standard above the base toward said vertical plane, a frame extending forwardly from said rear standard and secured to the standard and said front support, a rotary circular knife and a driving motor therefor mounted on said frame above said base with the knife arranged to rotate 'in a vertical plane, said frame being pivotally secured to said rear standard to swing vertically relatively to said front support for adjusting the knife toward and from the base, and means for secur ing said frame in vertically adjusted positions to said front support.

'7. A machine for cutting sheet material comprising a base adapted to rest on a support beneath the material, front and rear standards rising from and rigid with said base with the front standard offset to one side of the fore and aft vertical plane of the rear standard, horizontal rods fixed to said front standard and projecting laterally therefrom above the base toward said vertical plane, a frame extending forwardly from said rear standard and. secured to the standard and said rods, a rotary circular knife and a driving motor therefor mounted on said frame above said base with the knife arranged to rotate in a vertical plane, and a cutting gage adjustably secured to said rods between said front standard and the vertical plane of the knife, said gage being adjustable on said rods toward and from the vertical plane of the knife.

8. A machine for cutting sheet material comprising a base adapted to rest on a support beneath the material, front and rear standards rising from and rigid with said base with the front standard offset to one side of the fore and aft vertical plane of the rear standard, horizontal rods fixed to said front standard and projecting laterally therefrom above the base toward said vertical plane, a frame pivotally secured to said rear standard and extending forwardly therefrom and having vertically elongated slots through which the ends of said rods pass, said rods having shoulders thereon at one side of said frame, and nuts screwed on the ends of said rods for clamping said frame against said shoulders of the rods for securing the frame to said rod and permitting adjustment of the knife toward and from the base.

9. A machine for cutting sheet material comprising a base adapted to rest on a support; beneath the material, front and.rear standards rising from and rigid with said base with the front standard offset to one side of the fore and aft vertical plane of the rear standard, a front support projecting laterally from said front standard above the base toward said vertical plane, a frame extending forwardly from said rear standard and secured to the standard and said front support, a knife and a driving motor therefor supported by said frame above said base with the knife arranged to operate in a vertical plane, and a cutting gage adjustably secured to said front support between the front standard and the vertical plane of the knife, saidgage being adjustable toward and from the plane of the knife and arranged to bear on the base and prevent deflection of said front support toward the base.

10. In a machine for cutting sheet material comprising a base, a rotary circular knife and a driving motor therefor, a frame on which said knife and motor are mounted above the base with the knife arranged to rotate in a vertical plane, and a supporting standard for said frame rising from the base adjacent the rear of the knife, said knife extending forwardly the greater part of its diameter from said standard so that the edge of the knife cuts the material at a relatively great distance in advance of the standard, a thin vertical ply plate supported close to one side face of the knife and overlapping the knife at the lower rear portion of the knife where the edge moves upwardly away from the base, and a vertical recess in said frame which receives the upper forward portion of said plow plate and prevents deflection of the same away from the adjacent face of the knife.

FREDERICK G. CLARK. 

